Adam: 'The Win Matters More'

Midfielder delighted with first goal, but even pleased with the result

To get your first goal is always special, but the team getting the result is the main thing"

Charlie Adam

CHARLIE ADAM was understandably delighted to open his goalscoring account for Stoke City . . . but was quick to emphasise the importance of the result that his first goal secured in the Barclays Premier League encounter with Queens Park Rangers.

The Scottish international midfielder swept home a 52nd minute goal which earned City their second Premier League victory of the season at the Britannia Stadium.

While Adam was overcome by an enormous sense of relief at finally getting on the scoresheet, he said that the outcome of the match matters more.

“To get your first goal is always special, but the team getting the result is the main thing,” he said after the 1-0 victory at the Britannia Stadium yesterday afternoon.

“I think it was a sense of the relief when I celebrated – as the games go on and you don’t score, it does get to you especially because I like scoring goals.

“The team getting the result is the main thing. It’s nice to get a goal but we got the win against a good QPR team with good players.”

The deadline day signing from Liverpool insisted that victory was welcome as the team felt they hadn’t got their just rewards in terms of points after some promising displays in the season up to now.

“The results we’ve had since I’ve been here probably haven’t reflected our performances, but today we probably didn’t play as well as we have in recent weeks but we got the win,” he added.

“I don’t think it was the greatest game in the world, but it’s important that we try and make it hard for teams who come here and today we’ve managed to get the goal and the back four have managed to keep another clean sheet.

“We’ve had a lot of tough games, but this is the league we’re in. You’re playing against some of the best teams in the world. It’s a great league to play in, but it’s important that we keep doing what we’re doing and the results will come.”

Adam’s goal came after manager Tony Pulis switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the second period, with the Scot operating on the right-hand side of the midfield quartet – another of a number of positions he has occupied since the beginning of the season.

He says he’s just pleased to be having a regular run in the team, though, and admits that he’s not fussed where he’s asked to play on the pitch.

“Being out on the pitch is where I enjoy it most – I’ll play anywhere for the team,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about winning games and if it means me or anyone else playing anywhere to win those games, then I’ll do it.

“It takes time to get an understanding with the players. Since day one at this Club, the lads have made me welcome and the manager’s been great so hopefully today it can kick us on for the rest of the season.

“We need to keep going, and hopefully we can build on this win next week at West Ham.”